Culture Day 2013 : There is cultural diversity in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole. The importance of culture lies in the fact that it is a link between people and their value systems, and without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. To showcase this rich cultural diversity Queen Elizabeth School had a cultural day where several aspects of the Zimbabwean and African culture were presented. These were showcased through, drama, dance, poetry, singing, modelling and traditional food. The cultural activities revealed extraordinary students talents, at the same time painting a picture of a school that thrives to attain Excellency in all areas of the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Arts and Culture.

In preparation for the day, pupils had earlier on been categorized according to their cultural backgrounds as well as their respective dialects. Various presentations were prepared representing each group’s cultural traditions, cultural dances and dialectical differences.

Pupils were dressed in their assorted African attire, reflecting their cultural differences and dress codes for a variety of activities.

Some food items on display were cooked and these included vegetables with peanut butter, sadza, cooked millet sadza, rapoko, sorghum, madora, roasted mealie-meal seeds and groundnuts.

To kick start the event students welcomed the audience in 4 dialects of Shona (Zezuru, Karanga, Ndau, Manyika) and 3 languages Ndebele, Tonga, and English.

The songs and dance reflected the practices during funerals, ancestral worship and marriage ceremonies.

A Form 3 student Delight Chengo, captivated the crowd with her poem “Dzidzo” which reflected that education emanated from way back when our ancestors used to impart information to their offspring through folktale, training in the use of traditional medicine, and addressing social issues at the kings court (Dare).

The choir kept the crowd interested with their beautiful voices paving way for modelling of different costumes by students of different traditional culture. Their attire reflected colorful dresses, ornaments that were adorned by the Zimbabwean people since time immemorial. Their pieces included Jewellery, beads, animal skin, as well as cloth wrapped around their bodies.

The Masvingo group popularly known as Wezhira, Wezhara, Wezheve followed thereafter and left the crowd in stitches with their drama, Music, Shangara and Mbakumba dances.

A food exhibition was made and the items highlighted earlier on were explained, that is their preparation and nutritional value.

The Ndebele groups were not to be left behind as they sang “Dhlalisa nyau lami” accompanied with the Isitshikitsha dance.

Towards the end a folk tale (Ngano) titled “Karinga” was narrated by a member of staff where students participated in the singing part of the tale. The moral of the tale was that the students should always be vigilant and alert when left home alone otherwise they risk the danger of being kidnapped by strangers. The program came to an end with a vote of thanks in Chitonga from a Lower Sixth student.